Simulation of wave overtopping of a rubble mound breakwater using SWASH

Abstract

An investigation of the applicability of the SWASH model for wave overtopping estimation of a porous structure with a recurved wall was carried out. The results demonstrate the capability of SWASH to predict with good accuracy the mean overtopping discharges when compared to data from physical model tests. Also, detailed validation of the instantaneous wave overtopping shows a reasonable agreement. Whilst free surface is well represented without considering several parametrizations, even for one-layer mode, wave overtopping is very sensitive to any variation in numerical and physical parameters. Wave overtopping simulations are very sensitive to the non-linear Forchheimer coefficient, β, and to the computational grid resolution. Nevertheless, the model shows to be robust even when rapidly flows occur and when dealing with very complex structures. In this paper, the details on the SWASH model configuration, post-processing methods and results are presented and discussed.